Chapter One:
Chapter One:
"Hurry!"
Silvena urged her dæmon, Miasrime as the two hurried to the corner. "I am hurrying and you know it because you're me!"
Mia exclaimed in exasperation. "Come on, Mia! We cannot, absolutely cannot be late!"
Silvia said ignoring her dæmon's previous statement.
Mia in the form of a snow leopard sped up. Silvia hurried after her dǽmon quietly and swiftly. Silvia and Mia stopped in front of a grand building with a fancy awning and a smartly dressed doorman.
"Damn!"
Silvia swore quietly as her sharp liquid gold eyes spotted the doorman.
"We weren't prepared for this!"
Mia added, just a little bit worried. Silvia tucked a wrinkled white paper into her somewhat worn navy blue sailor frock's pocket and boldly darted around the back. "Yep!"
She said, in satisfaction,
"Those rich people always have balconies."
Pulling a length of rope from her pocket, she swung it over her head, so that the edge of it landed on the first story balcony. She jerked her head towards the rope and Mia shifted to take the form of a squirrel. Mia scrambled up the top and than turning into a small monkey, she attached the rope to the railing.
All clear!
Silvia heard in her head as her dæmon finished tying the knots. Silvia grasped the rope in both hands and silently began making her way up. Once she reached the balcony, she threw the rope up again and again, until the pair reached the twelfth balcony.
"Twelfth balcony right, Rime?"
Silvia whispered.
"Yes."
Mia whispered into Silvia's ear. Silvia pulled a hairpin from her mussed curly golden brown hair and with determination began to pick the balcony's flimsy lock. A moment later the lock broke and Silvia caught it in her calloused hands before it fell. She gently placed the lock on the floor. She gently put her hand on the doorknob and turned. The door opened slowly and silently.
Perfect!
Silvia thought to Mia.
Careful, you haven't completed the job, yet!
Mia thought anxiously and not without reason.
Silvia tossed her head silently and tiptoed into the flat.